Men, Masculinities and Sexualities in Dance

This book examines men, masculinities and sexualities in Western theatrical dance, offering insights into the processes, actions and interactions that occur in dance institutions around gender-transgressive acts, and the factors that set limits to transgression. This text uses interview and observation data to analyze the conditions that encourage some boys and young men to become involved in this widely unconventional activity, and the ways through which they negotiate the gendered and sexual attachments of their professional identity. Most importantly, the book analyzes the opportunities male dancers find to develop a reflexive habitus, engage in gender transgressive acts and experiment with their sexuality. At the same time, it approaches gender and sexuality as embodied, and therefore as parts of identity that are not as easily amendable.

This book will be of interest to scholars in Gender and Sexuality Studies as well as Dance and Performance Studies.

Presents one of the few sociological studies focused on male dancers Explores the interrelationship between gender and sexuality, the social norms which continue to subtly influence social relationships, transgression and its limits Focuses on micro-processes and performances of the self

Autorentext

Andria Christofidou is a sociologist of gender and sexuality. She teaches at the Department of Social and Political Sciences, University of Cyprus, and works as a post-doctoral researcher in the Developing Equality Allies: An Innovative Workplace Inclusion Programme. Andria's research has been published in the Journal of Gender Studies, and NORMA: International Journal for Masculinity Studies.

Inhalt
Chapter 1: Introduction.- Chapter 2: Theoretical and conceptual elaborations.- Chapter 3: The gendering of Western theatrical dance.- Chapter 4: Becoming Dancers.- Chapter 5: The Practice of Dance, Habitus, and Heightened Reflexivity.- Chapter 6: Behind the Curtains: Questioning sexuality, troubling gender.- Chapter 7: Getting in Character: Just acting or gender embodied?.- Chapter 8: Male dancers negotiating the gendered and sexual attachments of dance.- Chapter 9: The grand finale.